Mission Statement

The Mission of the Knights of Columbus

To know, love, and serve God is the mission of the Catholic faithful.  That mission is reflected in Section 2 of the Charter of the Knights of Columbus:

The purposes for which said corporation is formed, always consistent with Catholic values and doctrine, are the following:

1. through a system of subordinate councils, along with regional, national, and international convocations, to raise up, support and encourage a fraternity whose members are practical Catholics united by their faith and by the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism;
2. through common worship, charitable works, meetings, and rites of initiation, to form its members in Catholic faith and virtue;
3. to render pecuniary aid to its members, their families, and beneficiaries of members and their families;
4. to render mutual aid and assistance to its sick, disabled, and needy members and their families;
5. to promote social and intellectual interaction among its members and their families;
6. to promote and conduct educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief, public relief,  and other activities; and
7. to unite members in their Catholic identity and the practice of their Catholic faith.

On February 8, 2015, the Board of Directors formally affirmed its delegation of authority to the Supreme Advocate to promulgate definitive guidance on the interpretation of the Constitution and Laws of the Order, Laws and Rules Governing the Fourth Degree, and Council and Assembly governance, and to publish said definitive guidance on the Officers’ Desk Reference, which may be revised and updated from time to time, at the discretion of the Supreme Advocate. The guidance published on the Officers’ Desk Reference shall be binding on Subordinate Units of the Knights of Columbus, their officers, and members to the extent set forth by the Supreme Advocate.

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